Nine Qualities of a Good Security Guard

Security guards are valuable members of any team, whether you run a business, school, office or other facility—but you and your property are only as safe as your security guard is good. When hiring a security guard or security firm, it’s important that they’re safe, trustworthy and mature enough to deescalate conflict whenever possible.

Read on to learn about the most desirable security guard qualities and traits in Fort Myers, FL, then call American Pride Security Services, Inc. to find out how our crew will meet and exceed these expectations:

  • Professional: You wouldn’t hire anyone off the street to be your company’s CFO, and making sure you take a similar approach to hiring a professional security firm is key to getting great results. Your security guards should be well trained, know what is expected of them and be able to deliver those results without unnecessary conflict.
  • Trustworthy: If you are putting your business or other facility in someone else’s hands, they need to be trustworthy. Look for firms that thoroughly screen their workers and go the extra mile to ensure you’re safe.
  • A great communicator: Although we think of security guards as being on hand to break up fights, prevent break-ins and deter theft, one of the most important things they can do is communicate with other people. You want guards who are friendly and professional to the public, but able to be firm and clear whenever necessary.
  • Versatile: Your guards need to be able to patrol, supervise, manage crowds and other duties specific to your type of facility, and they should be able to switch gears on a dime.
  • Observant: Of course, part of preventing or deterring crime is being observant. Hire a team that guarantees no one will be playing on their phone while a burglar sneaks around the back to help themselves to your property.
  • Knows how to differentiate between observations and threats: Of course, being observant is only one piece of the puzzle—the security guards you hire also need to be able to differentiate between unimportant observations and genuine threats.
  • Writes excellent reports: Security reports are an important piece of evidence if something strange or criminal happens, so you want a security guard that can write clear, thorough and logical reports.
  • Presentable: You might not think of presentation as a major part of security services, but it’s a small detail that impacts what others think of them—and your business or school. If a guard shows up in a dirty, wrinkled uniform, they won’t be taken seriously.
  • Physically fit: Finally, your guards need to be physically fit. While some of the job includes sitting or standing at one post, when conflicts do arise, you need a team that has the physical strength to do what their duties require.

Carefully vetting your security officers for these traits in Fort Myers, FL will ensure that you work with a well-respected, professional and effective firm. To learn more about American Pride Security Services, Inc. and how we train our staff, call us today.

Reasons to Consider Becoming a Security Guard

If you’re ready to start a new career path, becoming a security guard might be the right job for you. People who enjoy working with a variety of different situations, helping others and having flexible schedules are often uniquely suited for this job. Could a security officer job in Fort Myers, FL be right for you? Read on to learn about the benefits of this exciting career path:

  • Flexible hours: One of the best advantages of a security guard job in Fort Myers, FL is that the work itself is flexible. If you’re going to school, picking up a second job for extra cash or have a young family, you may find that the flexible hours and scheduling are suitable for working around your other obligations. That also makes it great for people who find too much routine boring.
  • Great experience: Being a security guard is great work experience, whether you want to continue as a guard, go into law enforcement or pursue another path. Plus, they’re always in demand, so if you love your security job, you’ll be able to find work easily.
  • Entry level to a rewarding career: Whether you want to moonlight as a security guard or turn it into a rewarding career, there are plenty of opportunities to expand your skills and move up in the industry. Many security guards either go on to work in law enforcement, or are already law enforcement officers moonlighting for extra cash.
  • Improve your observational skills: As a security guard, your job is to watch people and keep tabs on situations, locations and interactions. Your observational skills will rapidly improve after just a few days on the job—nothing will get past you after working in this career.
  • Get valuable crisis training: As a guard, you’ll be a first responder, which means you’ll be trained in how to handle everything from CPR to fires. This is valuable training for the job but also in real life—when an emergency occurs, everyone is grateful for a person who can keep a level head.
  • Engage with a lot of people every day: If you like people, you’ll enjoy getting to talk to and interact with lots of new people each day. The busier your location is, the more you’ll get to polish your people skills.
  • Work alone and with a team: Some of us are team players, and some of us like to work solo, but the majority of people prefer a mixture of both—and that’s what a security job in Fort Myers, FL can provide. There are stretches where you’ll be on your own for hours at a time, or you may find yourself comparing notes with the other members of your team to handle a problem together.
  • Do important work for others: Most importantly, security guards perform a valuable service by keeping others safe. It’s a rewarding career for the right person.

Interested in a security guard job or want to learn more about security officer benefits in Fort Myers, FL? Call American Pride Security Services, Inc. today.

How Hiring Security Guards Can Actually Save Your Business Money

The main goal of most business owners is to make money. That said, there are some extras that are worth investing in, such as professional security guard services, even if they don’t appear to contribute to the bottom line. With a little bit of insight, you’ll be able to understand how hiring armed or unarmed security guards is well worth the additional expense. Here are five ways security guard services in Fort Myers, FL can help save your business money.

Less crime

There’s a long list of reasons why certain types of businesses may be targeted by criminals more than others. At the top of this list is keeping large amounts of cash on site—it’s not the safest move for businesses in high-crime areas. Businesses like gas stations, convenience stores and small mom-and-pop shops deal with big sums of cash, but any retail business can have a lot of money in the cash register at any given time. Having a visible security guard can deter would-be criminals, whether their intent is to rob the place for cash, equipment or inventory.

Reduce stress

This point can go two ways. With a security guard service on your side, you can run your business with less stress, which means you can focus more on important parts of your company (revenue goals, boosting sales, etc.) without worry. However, a security guard presence can decrease stress levels in your employees and customers, too. The possibility of theft or harm will be the farthest thing from everybody’s mind. Customers will want to come back and spend money at your store.

More surveillance

Another step toward strong business security is installing closed circuit TV. Security cameras either stream live video and/or record everything in view of the cameras, but someone needs to watch the monitors at all times. Having someone monitor your video surveillance in real time allows your security team to work together to stop crime, prevent theft and avoid lost revenue. Ideally, you’ll have an unarmed security guard doing this job so your employees have time to do other important things for your business operations.

Boost employee and customer safety

Any good business owner knows that the safety and security of their customers or clients and employees is extremely important. Armed or unarmed security guards can offer to accompany customers and staff members to their vehicles when it’s dark outside or if they don’t feel safe. This courtesy is greatly appreciated all around. Customers who feel safe are more likely to turn into regulars, while employees will feel happier and be able to look forward to a safer, stress-free day at work.

Increase work productivity

Your business makes money from the sale of products or services, but you need productive employees to keep everything running. When it comes to personal safety and security, employees who are satisfied in these areas are more productive. Hiring security guards encourages employees to work harder and better, which means more money for you and your business.

For more information about investing in professional security guard services in Fort Myers, FL, contact American Pride Security Services, Inc. today.

The Three Levels of Security Guards

Despite all the jokes about “mall cops,” security guards require thorough education and training. Depending on the investment in that training, a security protection officer in Fort Myers, FL will rate on a particular security guard level that reflects their expertise. This can help clients determine if they require armed or unarmed guards and know which level is most appropriate to their situation. Also, if you’ve ever considered being a security professional, this gives you a good idea of what to expect and the opportunities in store if you invest in your security education.  Here are the three security guard levels and their roles in this industry:

  • Level II Beginning: All guards start at Level II, which is the most basic level. To reach this level, an individual must attend a course that includes six hours of security basics. Topics include ethics, prevention, criminal offenses, writing reports, emergency response and basic weapons handling. Level II guards are normally not allowed to carry firearms, but they may be equipped with tasers to ensure defense of themselves and others.
  • Level III Mid Level: After a guard masters all the elements of Level II, they may look into certifying into Level III. Once completed, they have all the education and experience of the previous level, except they can also be armed. Those desiring entry into Level III must participate in a 45-hour course that concludes with a written test, which must produce a passing score. Course content is a mix of classroom and physical training, as students learn weapons, defense and more advanced material. Once obtained, this opens up job opportunities in more intense sectors.
  • Level IV Personal Protection: In order to have access to more lucrative jobs involving personal protection, guards must be certified as Level IV. This allows them to serve in roles as bodyguards, and doing this effectively requires specific education. For this upgrade, you need to take an additional 15-hour course that covers use of force, personal force, bodyguarding and defensive strategies. As this opens up new and exciting opportunities, many security guards strive for this level.

In addition to coursework, you will also have to pass background checks and show that you are of outstanding character. Your job grants you access to people’s homes, businesses and, in some cases, personal space and money. It is imperative that you prove yourself dedicated and trustworthy, which is why this industry sets up many hoops for you to jump as you navigate your way to becoming a security protection officer.

If you have the background and training to become a security protection officer in Fort Myers, FL at American Pride Security Services, Inc., we would love to hear from you. We’ve been serving area clients for over 35 years and bring the highest level of professionalism to every job. Contact us today or fill out the online application so we can see if you are a good fit for our dedicated team of security professionals. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Security Necessities for Houses of Worship

Sadly, hearing all the stories of violence across the country means that we constantly have to think about our personal safety. Knowing where the exit points in a room are located or how to prevent a break-in are just two of the things everyone should have in the back of their mind. This even applies when we’re at a house of worship. Continue reading to learn more about church security in Fort Myers, FL and how we can help:

  • Get a security consultation: The first step every house of worship should take when it comes to security is getting a consultation. A consultation with one of our professionals will identify weak points and allow us to develop a plan to fix them. With a proper plan in place, we can prevent both violent crimes and robberies from occurring.
  • Install cameras: Every house of worship should have cameras placed around the exterior and interior near any donation boxes. Security cameras don’t just help identify a perpetrator after a crime has been committed—they can also prevent one from happening in the first place.
  • Hire guards: Stationing a security guard out in front of the building is a major deterrent for anyone thinking about committing a crime. If someone attempts to start trouble, one of our trained guards will take him down and alert the authorities.
  • Stay vigilant: Our security guards do whatever they can to prevent crimes from happening, but we ask that all members of the congregation stay vigilant. The saying “If you see something, say something” applies wherever you go, even if it’s to church.

We’re the most trusted name in security!

Nobody beats our team at American Pride Security Services, Inc. when it comes to church security in Fort Myers, FL. Here are a few of the reasons houses of worship choose us to guard their facilities:

  • Licensed agency: Anyone can put on a badge and claim to be a security guard, but that’s not how we operate! We’re a licensed security agency, and each guard we hire is registered as a State of Florida Security Officer.
  • Trained professionals: Going along with the point above, all of our guards have some form of previous experience working in the security field. When one of our guards shows up at your church, you can rest easy knowing that’s not their first day on duty.
  • Tailored to meet your needs: Whether you need one guard stationed out front during a service or 24/7 patrols, we can accommodate your needs. We’ll come up with a custom plan just for you after we’ve provided a security consultation for your facility.
  • Satisfaction guaranteed: We’re so sure you’ll be happy with our level of service that we offer a quality guarantee. If there’s an issue that can’t be resolved, we will terminate the remainder of your contract at no cost to you.

Don’t jeopardize the wellbeing of any members of your congregation—call American Pride Security Services, Inc. today to arrange for church security in Fort Myers, FL.